Israel Begins Pumping Desalinated Water Into Sea of Galilee in Historic Reverse Carrier Project

Israel has launched one of its most ambitious water infrastructure projects in decades — the "Reverse Carrier" system that pumps desalinated water from the Mediterranean coast inland to the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret), reversing the direction of the country's traditional water supply flow. The system is now pumping approximately 4,000 cubic meters of water per hour, with an additional 1,000 cubic meters per hour flowing since December 2025. Combined output is expected to reach 5,000 cubic meters per hour by early summer 2026. Yehezkel Lifshitz, director of the Israel Water Authority, described the project as a globally rare example of desalinated water being used to replenish a natural freshwater reservoir. The initiative comes as Israel grapples with climate change-driven rainfall declines and wartime conditions that have strained national water resources. The Reverse Carrier builds on Israel's world-leading desalination infrastructure. The Sorek B desalination plant, located in Rishon LeZion, reached full operation in January 2026 and can produce 670,000 cubic meters of clean water daily — setting a new global record for low-cost desalination. Israel now operates six major seawater desalination plants, with a seventh under construction. Together, they provide 85 to 90 percent of the country's domestic water supply — a dramatic transformation from near-zero desalinated water just 20 years ago. The Reverse Carrier project marks a turning point in Israeli water management, reflecting an acknowledgement that reduced rainfall and adverse climate impacts constitute a "new normal." By ensuring the Sea of Galilee maintains stable water levels, the system also protects downstream ecosystems and Jordan Valley agriculture. The Water Authority estimates the project will stabilize the lake at optimal levels year-round, reducing dependence on seasonal rainfall patterns that have become increasingly unpredictable in the eastern Mediterranean region.